Triple crown dream still alive

Recently crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year, Melody Belle made it Group One victory No 8 in emphatic fashion when she dominated her rivals in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

The Jamie Richards-trained five-year-old repeated her deeds of last season when she took out Saturday’s feature event after capturing the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on the first day of the carnival for the second year in a row.

No horse has completed the Hawke’s Bay treble with a subsequent win in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on the last day with Melody Belle’s connections now focused on having their champion mare become the first to achieve the feat.

‘‘That was just amazing and her eighth Group One win,’’ Fortuna Melody Belle syndicate manager John Gavin said.

‘‘Words fail me really as it was just fantastic.

‘‘We are humbled about the opportunity [to win the Triple Crown] as we have seen some really good horses such as Starcraft and Seachange fail so it is a great honour and a privilege to be able to come and have a go at that occasion.’’

A perfect ride from Opie Bosson set the platform for the performance as he guided Melody Belle into a perfect one out position in behind the early speed before unleashing her at the top of the straight.

Bosson unleashed the brakes at the 300m and the mare bolted clear, easing down to win untouched by three lengths form a game Sultan Of Swing, who chased her hard, and Mongolian Marshal who also finished off well for third.

Bosson was in awe of the Commands mare as he described the ease of the victory.

‘‘She’s just amazing, right from when she was a two-year-old and on to now,’’ he said.

A $57,500 purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, from the Haunui Farm draft at the 2016 National yearling Sale, Melody Belle has now won thirteen of her 23 starts, eight Group One’s and over $1,867m in prizemoney.

– NZ Racing Desk